Being handy remains a big part of being a dad, as removing toys from tough packaging, setting up TV’s, and building tricky playsets are all voted as key to being a good dad.

Unfortunately, the average dad reckons they’ve mastered just 46 per cent of the skills they’re meant to have learnt.

A spokesperson for Bob the Builder, which commissioned the poll, said: “The huge list of ‘dad skills’ show just how many roles dads have to fill in the upbringing of their children.

“They’re fixers, builders, comedians, sportsmen, the list is endless.

“It is interesting to see that the majority of the skills which were revealed in this study are ‘hands-on’, requiring dads to be good at mending, making and general DIY - while also keeping their cool and appearing unruffled.”

The study shows fathers are expected to be able to undo difficult knots, tie up shoe laces and set up new computer games.

Dads are required to have decent cooking skills - in addition to flipping pancakes, they should be able to serve up a decent fry-up and master the perfect barbeques.

As sports captain of the house, dads are relied upon to teach the children how to swim , play football and should have a mighty throw when playing ball games.

Taking good family photos, opening jars, setting up the paddling pool and building sandcastles are also key ‘dad skills’.

Interestingly, the average dad thinks it takes just under nine years to truly master their role in the house, and seven in 10 say men are now relied on more than ever before to help out and raise the children.

A resounding 96 per cent of those polled think it is important for dads to be practical, and eight in 10 say it is vital they are able to help with DIY tasks around the house.

In fact, 49 per cent of dads have felt a let down on the odd occasion they weren’t able to fix or build something for the children.

And 66 per cent feel it is imperative they pass on their DIY skills and knowledge to their children during quality time together and play.

Six in 10 dads say they are the one the children go to the most when a toy needs fixing, or something needs putting together.

Four in 10 men polled reckon they do more DIY than their own parents did, and 43 per cent are proud to be a ‘handy person’.

The spokesman for Bob the Builder continues:”It is great to see that modern dads still believe it is important to pass on DIY skills to their children and that they do this by spending quality time together and playing.

“Not only will this benefit their little ones practically in the future, it also teaches values such as teamwork and positivity”.